bill, while at the same time relieving the pressure on the debt ceiling was welcomed by some democrats as republicans moving from out-right crazy to half-crazy. >> i'm not sure what happened at the house republican retreat last week, but it sure had a mellowing effect on their members. maybe there were deep breathing exercises, soft jazz music. something happened. either way, we welcomed the outcome of their retreat. the bill represents a huge change on the debt ceiling issue, and hands the president his second major win in a month. and it shows that the republicans are in full-on retreat on fiscal policy. >> joining me now, msnbc's ezra klein, ezra, i didn't see this one coming, did you? >> i'm going to say i actually did. the day after the fiscal cliff, i said the republicans are going to fold -- >> well, i don't mean fold, make -- >> make it go away? >> this particular way of doing it. >> well, i love the idea, i think the only problem with the suspend the debt ceiling and make it go away, is a three-month part, suspend it. but the no pay, is getting misreported. i imagine this is p